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The real reward in life is not what we get from all our efforts but who we become. This summer in worship, we will once again study the same topic as our children and youth Sunday school classes, "The Fruit of the Spirit." As the Apostle Paul told the church in Galatia; "By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23.

As we examine the most desired thing in all of life "love," one of the best examples is between a mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law. The bond between Ruth and Naomi was so much more than our pop culture's definition of love. When the Beatles sang fifty years ago, "All you need is love" (and then the band broke up). Or Tina Turner asked, "What's love got to do with it?" They were addressing the surface feelings of being in love. Naomi and Ruth on the other hand shared a rich experience of commitment and bonding. Paul says that doesn't just happen. It is the work of the Spirit of God.

I pray that this summer we all grow a bountiful harvest of all the fruit of the Spirit of God. Today we begin with love.